Nov. 6, 2017
07:11 am JST

Ah, so this is why they 'love' Trump.

He's only been here one day and the ruling party have started making noises about acquiring nuclear weapons. I wonder if Trump and Abe have already done a deal regarding the purchase of some American technology.

Nov. 6, 2017
07:25 am JST

Nov. 6, 2017
07:30 am JST

I am going to go out on a limp here and guess this was cherry-picked from a direct question, or comment related to nukes and the authors are out to make him seem like a nuclear-hawk. Kind of "yellow-journalism" as it doesn't provide the context not content of what he may have intended.

Nov. 6, 2017
09:05 am JST

There are a lot of things Japan should be capable to do, but nuclear weapon is definitely not one of them. LDP is speaking out to be against the constitution and international laws. It is impeachable offense.

Nov. 6, 2017
09:07 am JST

Now there is a reason to have more outdated weapons. There is NO nuclear defence against nuclear weapons...geesh hasn't he seen all the doomsday movies depicting this? Besides the US navy has plenty of them why waste your time and energy making your own. Nuclear weapons use = Humans Extinct ...and most other living things.

Nov. 6, 2017
09:25 am JST

The best defense against nuclear weapons is to be a peaceful, neutral country that abstains from all overseas military adventures until these useless WMD are eventually abolished by a more enlightened and civilized generation of humanity. Ishiba's trite 10 cents on this issue is a measure of the LDP's intellectual bankruptcy.

Nov. 6, 2017
09:30 am JST

It's time to change the constitution's Article 9 and Japan to build its own nuclear bomb..

Insanity. Just look at your history. And tell me how the mindset has changed.

...the US government is just using Japan as your cash dispenser, enough is enough!

And why did the U.S. take control of Japan? Besides, Japan has prospered greatly since that time - not only due to the human slavery that Japan puts its own people under, but under the protective umbrella of the U.S.

Nov. 6, 2017
09:46 am JST

It looks like most people here have trouble reading. This guy isn't part of the current government and he is only talking about the capability to develop nuclear weapons, which Japan already possesses. To add to it, he even states that he doesn't think Japan should have nukes.

Regardless of whether you think Japan should or shouldn't develop their own nukes, the fact is that they have the capability to develop their own nukes at any time they wish, with an estimated nuclear breakout of only a few months.

Nov. 6, 2017
10:12 am JST

And Japan is going down the very same road that lead to it being the first and only country on which nuclear weapons have been used. Well, thank you complacent voters, but we deserve what we get (except the little kids).

Nov. 6, 2017
10:33 am JST

Nov. 6, 2017
11:10 am JST

Nov. 6, 2017
11:20 am JST

Japan has the capability to go nuclear any time it wants. All the materials are available. I would be surprised if parts were not pre-positioned.

The problem is the loser in NK. And with the example of the US / USSR cold war it's a fact that deterrence by the ability to retaliate is necessary.

At this point I would say that Japan has to develop the ability to let the third fatty understand that any attack on Japan will be the end of his regime no matter what China or the US thinks about it. Japan can't be a sitting duck any longer. Time for credible deterrence.

Nov. 6, 2017
11:33 am JST

This is rhetoric aimed at China. The subtext is "Work to solve the NK problem or find yourself in a neighborhood where you aren't the only nuclear power. I think this is a line beyond which the Japanese voter would actually sit up and take action.

Nov. 6, 2017
11:36 am JST

Japan created missile intervention system. Unlike USA, there are bunch of nuclear using power plants. Also years before N. Korea began bragging about its missile business, Japan has been accumulating M3 whenever France had been ready to sell to Japan. Japan does not brag but it is technologically advanced than USA and China. Mitsubishi helped China's military advancement. Also, American military aircraft builders had to use Japanese aircraft makers Don't think Japan inch, are blind on nuclear weapon development. Japanese Sony took Hollywood. Whatever US had, Japan has. Ditto with nuclear weapons.

Nov. 6, 2017
11:38 am JST

Nov. 6, 2017
11:55 am JST

If Japan, the only country that has suffered from an atomic bomb aquires nuclear weapons. That will surely destroy the prospect of a nuclear-free world!! Japan is now openly saying that every country that feels threatened by either Russia, North Korea or China should aquire nuclear weapons, even though they are protected under the US and NATO umbrella!!

It's complete nonsense from a country with deep roots of pacifism stretching back to the end of WW2! Why didn't LDP change the constitution before? If it always was their long cherished goal as JapanToday stated earlier. To aquire nuclear weapons is not only to undermine the world's trust in Japan on this issue, but also to undermine the sufferings of the Hibakusha! What has happened Japan during these 6 continous years of Abe-ruling, what has happened?

Is this how Japan will change the world for the better? With nuclear arms?

Nov. 6, 2017
11:59 am JST

Nov. 6, 2017
12:00 pm JST

Strikebreaker555Today 11:55 am Japan is now openly saying that every country that feels threatened by either Russia, North Korea or China should aquire nuclear weapons, even though they are protected under the US and NATO umbrella!!

Nov. 6, 2017
12:31 pm JST

Awarness: Japan was/ is from long time ago capable to possess nukes, but not able to do in the name of peace of no more Hiroshima again, the world knows and it is very dangerous those extreme right wing lawmakers use the capable to able, to make harm.

Nov. 6, 2017
01:21 pm JST

I certainly think that japan should have nukes readily available, could be their own or not. If one of Japan's closest allies agreed to put their own nukes at their disposal in the event of a nuclear attack (no/minimal questions asked, immediately etc) then there's probably no need for japan to have their own.

In any case, I do understand that a country like Japan i.e rich, geographically isolated and within striking distance of nk/china/Russia's own nukes does feel vulnerable.

Nov. 6, 2017
05:53 pm JST

Doooh!!! Stating the obvious. It would be completely irresponsible from Japan not to secretly research into this. I am pretty certain they can build if needed a bomb in very little time, given the extensive knowhow with nuclear technology available in the country, and their good relationship with US. That they swore not to use one, that is something else. Not to know how to make and use one, that would be stupid.

Nov. 6, 2017
06:04 pm JST

This now 2017. The US should totally pull out of Japan, which, as mature countries do, should defend itself against outsiders. Japan must have nuclear weapons as part of that defence as Japan is surrounded by nuclear armed enemy countries.

Nov. 6, 2017
07:01 pm JST

Just imagine that Japan has 1000 nuclear weapons today, what would Japan do ? Clearly, Abe's LDP is no better than NKorea in disregard international laws and Japanese history. It is even sad that Abe exports Japanese nuclear technology to nations that violated international laws to make nuclear weapons as Nkorea did. Abe still believes that the force is the only way to resolve problems with other nations. Abe hasn't learned anything from Japanese history. Abe should know that Japan isn't the only nation on the earth that can make nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapon threat is a big component in Abe's foreign policy, that is very dangerous to Japanese people and a real threat to the world peace.

Nov. 6, 2017
07:27 pm JST

In an ideal world there should be no nuclear weapons. Period.

Radiation fallout does not respect national borders; suffusing the water, food and air, it adversely affects all of life on the planet.

North Korea (DPRK) has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons on Japan, and to turn Tokyo into a sea of flames. This is completely irresponsible language. If Japan ever decides to go ahead and start manufacturing them, it will be North Korea who has to take the blame. Nuclear China and Russia have challenged Japan with their fighters and bombers, but the rules of the game are maintained, and Japan does not feel immediately threatened. DPRK is rocking the nuclear boat, however, and the price they pay may well be a nuclear-armed Japan. I would not blame Japan if sadly she felt forced into such a position. It would be a stalemate, yes, but with luck one that would hold, as between the US and Russia.

As Ishida says above: "If/when Japan wants to (build a nuclear weapon), she should have the technology to do so, although that is not to say that right here and now that she should build them."

Nov. 7, 2017
12:59 am JST

Nov. 7, 2017
11:06 am JST

Mujun!

So, most people here believe that Japan should have, and is entitled to have, nuclear weapons. But they also believe that North Korea, who to my knowledge has never invaded Japan or any other neighboring sovereign state - should NOT have nuclear weapons?